For decades, mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus have been best-sellers and the most common sight on American roads.
But the trend is starting to change. According to J.D Power and associates, an increasingly large number of buyers are downsizing and choose small cars such as the Chevrolet Cruze or even the Honda Fit.
In fact, J.D. Power forecasts that, for the first time in two decades, compact cars will outsell mid-size models by the end of the year. Moreover, it projects that by 2015, compact and sub-compact cars will have a 20% share in the U.S. market, while mid-size models’ share will shrink down to 14%.
For example, Hyundai’s Elantra sales increased by 46% in the first 10 months of the year, while America’s long-time favorite car, the Toyota Camry, has recorded a 9 percent drop over the same period.
Rising gas prices and uncertainty over the current economic climate are not the only reasons for this surprising turnaround. In fact, the new Camry sells for less than the previous model, and its average fuel economy is 40 mpg compared to the Elantra’s 35 mpg.
Still, the Camry sticker price is US$5,000 more than the Elantra. Moreover, today’s compact cars are no longer a cheap, low-tech choice for those who couldn’t afford, or weren’t willing to shell out more money for mid-size models. Now they are equal, or sometimes even superior in some respects to larger models.
For example Mara Landers, an assistant professor of mathematics at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, California, used to drive a 1998 Civic that was so poorly equipped it didn’t have a radio. The 2009 Civic she traded her old car for came with power windows, keyless entry and a digital dashboard display, making Landers feel that “the new Civic really feels like a luxury update of the old one.”
Even interior space is no longer an issue. The 1992 Toyota Corolla was 17 inches (43 cm) shorter than the 1992 Camry. But today’s Corolla has increased in size, narrowing the gap to its larger sibling to just 10 inches (25 cm).
It all adds up: smaller cars offer all the amenities of larger models, comparable space, better fuel economy – and they are cheaper. So why pay more for the same thing, except for a few inches in length and perhaps more power that you may never use?
Story References: Lake County Sun / J.D. Power
7 Comments:
The idea of 'bigger is better' is a complete fallacy. Most people never need to have 3 full-size adults in the back. Most people, well Canadians anyway, aren't obese and require the extra room just to be comfortable. Everything in the West just keeps getting bigger, then it bursts and we start back at the beginning.
Smaller cars are easier to park. Better on gas. Handle better. And depending on what you get, have the same utility as a mid-sized. Only benefit is to the manufacturer who can slap some larger sheetmetal, increase the size a little, but charge 5-7K more right off the bat because it is a 'higher' segment.
When my father bought his Camry in the late 80's it was smaller than a current Civic. Civics, if you remember were tiny, tiny, barely larger than a Fit. As the cars got larger he stopped buying the Camry and other mid-size equivalents because the extra size didn't equate to anything for him. We weren't buying more groceries. Golf clubs and other midsized things fit in the boot. What more could you want?
Glad GM got the Cruze in-market when it did or this would be the final nail in its casket. Honda must be ready to commit hara-kiri because their goodwill is completely shot. Ford is probably burning 100 dollar bills for fun, they really nailed it and if the US is heading to small cars, they are the domestic to watch.
I'm done.
Not hard to figure this out..."compact cars" are bigger now, have more stuff, and look better. Mystery solved.
I've owned 3 new SUVs in the past 15 yrs, and I think I'm getting sick of them, even with a growing family, I bought a used beat up 94 Miata to help out a friend, it turned out to be the best car to drive everyday, the chance of me driving another SUV or Van is zero to none. The wife can drive them instead.
Welcome to the 21st Century;-)
Best news in a decade!
The future has finally arrived. Auto experts/manufacturers have been predicting this for the better part of a decade. Probably the only thing they've been right about in that time.
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